Chelsea's youth team players were so terrified of being molested by chief scout Eddie Heath they fought to avoid being the last to get off the team bus, it is claimed.

Speaking to the Mirror, two former squad members claimed Heath – at the club from 1968 to 1979 – would corner the final youngster on board and abuse them.

They alleged lads would even play through injuries to avoid the treatment room where Heath, now deceased, would also prey on them.

One said: “I can vividly recall people asking did you get ‘caught’ by Eddie today and there ­literally was a scramble on the minibus to get off first.

“The last lad on would invariably get molested in the back of the bus.

A view of the Chelsea F.C football ground at Stamford Bridge (Photo: Getty)

“He always had what we used to call girlie mags on the desk of his office. He wanted to see if the lads were aroused when he went in.

“He came across as a very decent, honourable man but this was clearly part of his cover and this should all have come out earlier.

"But he exerted great ­influence at the club and could make or break our careers – it was as simple as that.

"He was a big bear of a man.” Premier League club Chelsea has been dragged into the sex abuse scandal amid allegations one former youth player was given hush money after threatening to publicly accuse Heath of abuse.

It is alleged the payment was made in the past three years. In a statement, the club said it had retained a law firm to “carry out an investigation concern an individual employed in the 1970s”.

It added: “The club has also contacted the FA to ensure all possible assistance is provided as part of their wider investigation.”

Heath, who died before any ­allegations were made and can not defend himself, discovered some of the club’s greatest players, including Ray Wilkins.

The former England captain , 60, said: “I knew Eddie very well. It makes no sense ­whatsoever to me. Eddie was a great guy.”